Veteran Pakistani cricketer Azhar Ali has announced his retirement from international cricket, with the third and final Test against England in Karachi set to mark his last appearance. The decision comes after he was dropped from the team for the second Test, indicating that his time in the sport was drawing to a close.
At 37 years old, Azhar expressed his emotions during a press conference, acknowledging that it was the right moment to step away. “Everything must come to an end… I feel this is the right time to decide that the Karachi Test will be my last for Pakistan,” he stated, reflecting on his impactful career.
Throughout his time on the field, Azhar has made significant contributions to the team, amassing 7,097 runs at an average of 42.49, ranking him as Pakistan’s fifth-highest Test scorer. His journey began in 2010 at Lord’s, amid a challenging period for Pakistani cricket that saw the team playing at neutral venues due to international isolation following the 2009 terror attacks in Lahore.
The return of Test cricket to Pakistan after nearly a decade allowed Azhar to showcase his talent at home once again. In December 2019, he marked this moment by scoring a century in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Karachi, highlighting the personal significance of playing on home soil. “It was massive to play at home and score that hundred,” he said fondly.
Looking back, Azhar noted that there were times when he doubted he would have the opportunity to play a Test match in Pakistan. With 19 Test centuries to his name, his departure from the game leaves a legacy as one of the notable figures in Pakistani cricket history.